Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God began when God Himself entered human history as a man. Through birth He became part of human history; living in it, working and suffering; on the cross He fulfilled His human destiny, and in the Resurrection He crossed the border between time and eternity. Within these prescribed events He was completely historical, yet always He remained God. Everything He did was done from the eternal; everything He experienced was caught up into the eternal. By His act of complete surrender and obedience He remained Lord of time, Creator of the new creation. The uncertainty of date in His life emphasizes the ever active presence of eternity. Jesus said “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark1:15 God’s Kingdom therefore is no fixed, existing order, but a living, nearing thing. The Kingdom of God means a state in which God is King and consequently rules. Jesus Christ began His Kingdom on earth in the hearts of His followers.

In the world it is some people who have power over us. Those who speak to us, whose words we read, whom we associate with, people who give or withhold, who help or hinder us. People whom we love or to whom we are bound by duty, these people rule us. God counts only when people permit Him to, when they and their demands leave us time for Him. Things also rule us, things we desire, things that bother us, things we encounter wherever we go, by the attraction they have for us or by the attention they demand from us. God is present only when the crowding all absorbing things of the world do not dominate our life. He rules our hearts, minds and lives when we surrender ourselves freely to Him. When God dominates our life His would be the one name, the one reality before all others. People in God’s Kingdom seek different blessings and benefits. They have different attitudes. They reflect the humility and self-sacrifice of Jesus their King. Jesus Christ God’s Son is the only one who can bring us into the Kingdom of God. He is the only one who can remove our sins. The power of God forces itself into the world ready to take over: to forgive, enlighten, lead, sanctify, and transform all things to the new existence of grace. Not by physical violence, but by faith, by the voluntary surrender of the individual.

Jesus Christ is the King in His Kingdom. He reigns in the hearts of those believers who are devoted to God. He is the Priest; He lifts to the Father hearts softened by love and purged by repentance and fills them with God’s grace, so that their whole existence becomes one great mystery of union. He does not act by force, but by the prophetic power and truth that is spirit and life. Jesus is the Lord and King in every believer’s life. He controls every area of a person’s life, work, play, plans and relationships. As our Lord and Creator He wants to help provide all that we need as well as guide us how to use what He provides.” Seek ye the Kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Luke12:31 Seeking Jesus the Messiah is immeasurably important, through Him the Living One, heaven addresses earth, and man’s will is directed to heaven. “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew6:10 In Him worlds meet and fuse. Jesus Christ our intermediary runs the road from man to God and from Holiness to us, and He is entirely selfless, living not for Himself, but for the honor of His Father and the salvation of His brothers and sisters. The Kingdom Of God is the whole message of Jesus Christ. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew24:14 This Gospel has the power to heal, deliver, and make men holy. There is tremendous power for us in God, but not without holiness. Holiness precedes power. Before Jesus returns to judge the world, the Gospel of the Kingdom which is the message of salvation would be preached throughout the world. This was the disciples’ mission, and it is ours today. Our salvation begins with seeing the Kingdom and expands to entering it. Jesus Christ is alive forever more. He rules and protects His Church, governing the universe on her behalf. He is going to return in regal power and splendor as the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. When His Kingdom reigns supremely over all the earth, the wonder is that we are to reign with Him, assisting Him as Kings in His governmental control of all things. Revelations11:15 “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” In spite of our weaknesses and sins, God has set before us an opportunity to dwell with Him. It is to this end that the grace of God is working in our lives. What the Promised Land was to the Israelites, Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God is to us. The Jews were called, not just to know about the Promised Land but to dwell in it and make it their home. So also are we called to dwell in Christ, where God in His Kingdom becomes our abiding place.